Advisory Board: Cathy Marek

Cathy Marek received her B.A in Modern Language (French) from Webster in 1971. After
teaching French in the Webster Groves School District for two years, Cathy earned
her MA in Education (Counseling) from St. Louis University in 1975. During the course
of her 20 year career with the Rockwood School District (St. Louis County), she held
positions as a high school, elementary, middle school counselor. During her 15 years
as a middle school counselor, Cathy pioneered programs in career development, anti-bullying,
prevention of mental health concerns, and academic support. She was honored as Rockwood
Middle School Counselor of the Year in 2007 and as St. Louis Suburban Counselor of
the Year in 2008.

Since her retirement, she has served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)
for Voices for Children (St. Louis Family Court). She also serves as Vice-President
on the Board at the Springboard organization which promotes creative educational programs
in the arts and humanities. She is married and lives in St. Louis County with her
husband Don Marek. They have two grown children, Angie, a magazine journalist, and
David, a music publicist. During the last five years, Cathy has had the opportunity
to travel extensively to countries including: Argentina, China, Cambodia, Turkey,
Russia, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, and Vietnam.